Indianapolis Super Bowl inspires new fan 'zones' for big game

Inspired by Indianapolis' success hosting Super Bowl XLVI, cities planning on bidding for the big game may soon have to produce a plan to create the public Super Bowl fan "zones."

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"It would be a zone where Super Bowl lives," NFL senior vice president of events Frank Supovitz told the Sports Business Journal. Supovitz said he envisions one area where fans can come and know they will enjoy the Super Bowl atmosphere as opposed to past Super Bowls where events were segmented and unconnected.

The area could also serve as a showcase for sponsors and partners. Prospective Super Bowl hosts may soon have to outline their plans for such areas as part of the bidding process for the game, Supovitz added.

Indianapolis’ zip lines are perhaps one of the more memorable parts of the Indianapolis Super Bowl experience, but entertainment spectacles may soon become the norm.

New Orleans will host next season's Super Bowl and its compact area is expected to be able to accommodate the latest evolution of "the big game."

Dennis Lauscha, the New Orleans Saints’ executive vice president and chief financial officer, said the team is constantly in touch with the league about next year’s game.

The New York Super Bowl host committee spokeswoman said that there have been no discussions at this point between the NFL and New York about a Super Bowl zone for the 2014 game.

"The greatest thing about Super Bowl is going from year to year and adding on in each city to make the game grow and develop," said Jim Steeg, Supovitz’s predecessor and now a consultant.